Regard ramps-up drive to recycle more with 50% waste reduction target

Posted on May 11th, by geoff in CT Extra. Comments Off on Regard ramps-up drive to recycle more with 50% waste reduction target

Caring Times, May 2018

One of the UK’s largest private care providers has launched an initiative to recycle half of the waste it produces.

The Regard Group, which provides supported living, residential and day services for people with learning difficulties and mental health needs, is hoping to increase recycling by 50% in 6 months.

“In the past we used different bin providers across the country,” said Regard’s building compliance officer, Stuart Cockle, who heads the efficiency drive.

“We are now able to rationalise this by going through one central procurement point.”

Regard is working with national waste management company UKWSL who took over all bin collections at the group’s residential care homes, offices and some supported living services in January.

“UKWSL will be auditing the sites to confirm what, and how much, is being thrown away,” added Stuart.

“They will then analyse the waste amount based on the occupancy of each service so we can see where recycling could be increased.

“Recycling is roughly 70 per cent cheaper than general waste in terms of collection charges which means there will be economic benefits as well as environmental.” Meanwhile, Regard is hoping to introduce a number of incentives to spur on staff and the people they support, to get on board; including the introduction of a Recycler of the Month award.